September 8, 2024, Meeting

This month's meeting had a special guest, United Federation of Doll Clubs Region Three Director Karen Allen.  Members were asked to a bring a newly acquired doll or a doll with special meaning to them. This composition bride doll belongs to Myrna Loesch. She won her at a raffle in 2023 at a luncheon held by the Fort Worth doll club. The beautiful bride in Mary Ann by Madame Alexander and dates from the 1940s.  The dress is original, but Myrna made her veil.

Sylvia McDonald shared this handsome lad, made by German doll artist Käthe Kruse. He was the childhood doll of her great-aunt, who was born in 1902. Sylvia thinks her aunt received the doll around 1912. He still has his original box and a wardrobe of clothes, including this spiffy sailor suit.

Jan Irsefeld brought this stunning Cissy by Madame Alexander in her trunk filled with gorgeous gowns, all created by Jan.

This blond china head doll belonged to the collection of Pam Hardy's mother. She told the club that her mother kept the dolls packed away, allowing them to be seen only on New Year's Day. 

This terrific trio was created by Elaine McNally. The larger cloth doll is her interpretation of dolls made by Izannah Walker in the 1800s. The smaller pair are carved wood.

Also of wood is this Bébé Tout en Bois belonging to Elaine Jackson. Despite the French name, the dolls were made in Germany.

Sharon Weintraub shared two new acquisitions. This all-bisque cutie with an unusual swivel neck is by German doll maker Gebruder Heubach. She is faintly incised "Igodi" on her lower back; this was the trademark for this patented neck joint system invented by Johannes Gotthilf Dietrich.

This 11-inch tall doll is from the Dunaev factory in Russia, which used a head from Kammer and Reinhardt as a mold for its terracotta heads. The dolls were made beginning in the early 1900s and were dressed in detailed and authentic costumes representing different regions of Russia. This doll carries a label, "Made in Soviet Union," indicating that it was made following the 1922 Russian civil war. The factory was seized by the state in 1929 and doll production ended by 1937. His costume is all original, including his wonderful lapti shoes, woven from birch fiber. 

Nancy Countryman brought two well-loved dolls from her childhood.

She made the dress for this doll.

Ann Meir displayed this colorful quilt she had crafted,

Member Jenell Howell brought these two example of dolls created by Dewees Cochran for Effanbee. The one in the striped dress is all original.  

Bette Birdsong shared this wistful French doll by Jules Steiner. She is a Series C and her eyes open and close by a lever on the back of her head. 

This doll is modeled after "Wingy" Plenty, a character from the Dick Tracy cartoon strip.  Bette had a similar doll as a child.

Karen surprised the club with a door prize.  Sue Smith was the lucky winner of this appealing antique bisque baby doll.

 

March 10, 2024, Meeting

Members were asked to bring a new doll or a doll that has special meaning for them. Pam Hardy brought this cute porcelain doll by artist Donna Rupert. She told the club that she had bought the doll when her granddaughter was born. Her granddaughter is now 18 years old. 

Jan Irsfeld shared this stunning Cissy. She said that when she first moved to Austin, her doll collection was packed away. Jan visited a local doll shop and found this Cissy. She created the gorgeous hand-beaded gown for her,

Bette Birdsong received this charming child from Jenell Howell as a thank you gift for helping Jenell sort out a doll collection. The vinyl doll is by the Spanish company Famosa and winks when you squeeze her tummy (Bette calls her "Winky").

Jenell brought this Elise by Madame Alexander that she is currently restoring. 

Elaine McNally shared this comic wooden German character. 

She also brought this Hitty doll that she carved and dressed. Elaine said that she tried to make the doll resemble the illustrations in the book. Also, her dolls were recently featured in "Doll Castle News" in an article entitled  "Tiny Texas Treasures." 

Sylvia McDonald brought this doll by German artist Elisabeth Pongratz. The wooden doll is hand-carved  and has spring joints that allow her to pose without a stand. Her wig is real hair and her dress is crocheted by hand.

Myrna Loesch rescued this early composition baby doll from an estate sale. She said that it reminded her of a childhood doll.

She also brought this very well loved carved-hair Schoenhut, which dates from 1912 to 1918.

Myrna told the club that this antique papier mache head doll has special meaning for her because the doll was given in 1883 by a grandfather to his granddaughter with the last name of Bader. Myrna said that Bader was also her grandmother's name. 

Sharon Weintraub brought two dolls she recently added to her collection. This bisque-headed clown doll was purchased at a local antiques mall. It is by the French company Jules Steiner and appears to be all-original.

She also has shared this unusual Black German all-bisque doll.

Elaine Jackson brought this collection of carved wooden dolls created by Austin artist Nancy Grobe, who was once a member of our club. Nancy eventually had to give up carving because of arthritis and became a skilled painter.